Sometimes we all need a buffer from life’s problems, and today Brownells Gun Tech™ Steve Ostrem talks to Mike Mihalski, founder and owner of Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW), about how an A5 buffer system can solve functional problems on an AR-15 carbine. The A5 does for the rear of the AR-15’s operating system what the mid-length gas system did for the front end. As Mike explains it, the original M16 with a 20″ barrel was a balanced “algebra equation” in the form of a smooth-operating rifle. Once folks started shortening the platform, the operating cycle became more abrupt and reliability problems ensued. Also called an “intermediate” operating system, the A5 restores much of the balance of the original AR-15 rifle. The A5’s slightly longer receiver extension (aka “buffer tube”) accommodates a longer buffer spring and a longer, heavier buffer. The heavier buffer reduces carrier speed and provides extra mass to return the bolt to battery. Extra buffer weight also makes the gun more forgiving of “hot” ammo and shooting with a suppressor, so an AR-15 with an A5 buffer can handle a wider variety of ammo. The longer buffer spring results in smoother cycling rifle. Bonus: felt recoil is reduced AND there’s less risk of a broken extractor. Give the A5 a try!
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I'm currently building an AR308 with Aero Precision parts, 16 inch barrel with mid length gas block and was told I can run a AR carbine weight with a 308 rifle spring. I'll be using the Magpul UBR stock and was wondering if this set up will work? Any input is appreciated.
I noticed that even with the carbine spring shown, it's still a high quality Sprinco Blue. It's the little details that matter.
That being said, A5 all the way!
From my understanding Caleb had horrible accident involving his hair and now they are 3D printing him a replacement headcovering. From my understanding it will have keymod on the sides, and a picatinny rail on the back.
I really like this video , made a lot sense to me.
100% agree, the A5 system was a huge improvement to my 11.3 Suppressed upper. Definitely well worth the money.
I learn more in a 6 1/2 minute Brownells video than I can in watching 3 other ten minute videos. They do such a good job with their content!
Does this buffer tube accommodate standard stocks though? Like Magpul, DD, BCM, etc?
This is my favorite system. L.A.R.B mod 3 buffers work great with the 5/8 longer a5 buffer tubes.
So would this work for a 16" ruger ar 556?
Almost 10 years ago now I put a rifle length buffer assembly on my 16 inch bushmaster. The difference was night and day from the carbine.
I got a BCM Intermediate tube and a Griffin Armament SOB A2 intermediate buffer. My 14.5" is noticeably smoother.
JP makes an A5 spacer for their silent captured spring. Highly recommended
Get a jp silent buffer. From anywhere but brownells.
Auto tune for shitty singers. OMG, LMAO. Give this guy his own series. Knowledgeable about guns and apparently music.
I carried a 20” M16 in the Marines and it was an extremely smooth and reliable rifle.
Mike, good stuff!!!! And, I love the algebra equation analogy. Just switching over to the A5 system in my carbine. Also, Mike, I would recommend the Tubb flat spring….spring is universal for both rifle and carbine.
AR-15s are already some of the softest recoiling rifles around, even carbine-length versions. Weird how people feel the need to mitigate that already very manageable level of recoil.
Great stuff as always
I use an H2 buffer. Works for me. Thanks for the share!!
Can you use the A5 system in an AR pistol
How can I tell what length buffer tube I have? Aero Precision M4 20" from Brownells. Can I use the A5 system?
Great discussion. Also the hotter calibers like 6.5 grendel/ 6mm ARC do not like the carbine length and work better with the longer buffer system
SOLGW might be great dudes, but their prices are insane for what you get lol
Caleb has endured a grave personal tragedy. The supply shortages of hair products are preventing him from leaving his home. Lets all pray that the supply chain issues get sorted out and Caleb gets a large supply of the male hair care products he so desperately needs.
Hes just trying to sell you something….. 556 ammo powder has been changed since mid to late 1990s for 10.5 to 14.7 military & 16" civilian AR type rifle barrels for optimal ballistic performance… Just drop in a regular H/H1 or H2 buffer in your standard buffer tube w/ your carbine length gas system and youll have an instant tune up for less than 40$ … Never believe the misleading info from brownells or buy gimmicks from snake oil salesmen…
I have an 18" upper with a rifle length gas system that ejects at 3 to 3:30. Would it benifit from an A5 or a rifle length buffer system?
Well you got me all worried that I have a rifle length gas system connected to a carbine length buffer system. The only trouble I have is dented Grendel case mouths from hitting the deflector. Maybe slowing it down would help with that. I have the Spike's T2 buffer with the tungsten shot and non-adjustable gas block.
I recognize this guy….he is the one that advocates for using 271 loctite for the gas block screws on this video: https://youtu.be/c-Ff10Fh0c8
I'm not sure I would listen too much to what he says in other areas as a result. Threadlocker that tops out at 500F has no business adjacent to the barrel. Rocksett only.